Monster Cookie Cake {#ChristmasWeek + Giveaway}

Need a fun and festive cake for a celebration? Don’t have the time or inclination to make a huge layer cake? Look no further, Monster Cookie Cake to the rescue! Who can refuse a warm cake from the oven topped with caramel sauce, ice cream, whipped cream and sprinkles?

Seriously, they don’t, at least if I keep telling myself that over and over it could potentially be true (plus I haven’t been to the gym in 3 weeks, so I need it to be so).

Also welcome to Susan’s birthday celebration week; so kind of Kim to kick off this giant celebration in my honor isn’t it? I kid, it’s really not for me, it’s for you, because let’s be honest I bet you still have holiday baking to finish up on that long list of yours.

So I made myself a birthday cake, which can absolutely double as a fun and easy Christmas cake too. Especially if you are a fellow December birthday child. I feel you.

Why cookie cake?

I will tell you why.

First off – best of both worlds – cookie + cake. Second, you can eat it out of the pan. Third, you can drizzle caramel sauce all over the top, finish with a scoop of ice cream and sprinkles.

You have to have the sprinkles.

Lastly, it’s easy. Baking should all be about the ease during the holidays. It should be a no-brainer and fun and one you can mix together with kids.

So grab a friend or 3 and dig into this cookie cake straight out of the oven, no need to let this baby cool down. Oh but don’t do what I did and stuff it all into a tiny skillet, size up just a bit so you don’t spend an hour baking something that should take 30 minutes. 🙂

Swing by all the participants to see what they’ve been whipping up for the holidays:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees and have an 8 or 9 in cast iron skillet near by.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, oats, baking powder and salt.

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the butter and sugars for 1-2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.

Mix in the peanut butter.

Beat in the flour in two parts until combined, making sure not to over mix the dough.

Stir in the M&M's.

Scoop the dough into your skillet, smoothing into an even layer.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The middle should be a little gooey but not completely under baked. If it seems like the cake is still raw, continue to bake in 5 minute increments.

Let cool slightly so you can handle the skillet before serving.

If using, when ready to serve top with caramel sauce, a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream and sprinkles.

Cranberry, White Chocolate & Pecan Tart. I got the recipe from one of those little books in the grocery check-out lane years ago. It is soooooo good! Like a pecan pie with white chips, fresh cranberries and orange zest.

I also am a fellow December birthday girl!! Mine is the 16th. I love to bake pies and cookies during this time of year. My favorite pie is Orange Pecan Pie and my favorite cookie is Chocolate Chip M & M Cookie! Thanks for this awesome giveaway and for all the great recipes.

COOKIE CAAAAAAAAKE!!! Happy Birthday Susan! What a way to kick off your birthday. I’m glad you didn’t have me over. I would’ve face planted into this and would’ve ruined it for you. Sorry. Can’t resist a good cookie cake.

What?!? This is so cool! I love monster cookies, but (depressing story alert), the first time I ever had one was at a funeral visitation for a friend’s grandpa. Now, whenever I make or have monster cookies, I always kind of think of that. I need to break out of that rut and make this cake and make new memories!

Holy shizz, that looks jaw-droppingly amazing, Susan! Definitely worthy of your birthday celebration. The messier the dessert the better, in my opinion, so bring on the hot, molten cookie cake and smother it with caramel and ice cream!